Gymnast Erynne Allen has added another achievement to her stellar career by placing second overall at the Georgia State Championships held at the Gymnastix Training Center in Buford from March 21 to 23. The South Paulding High School sophomore represented her training center, Paulding Gymnastics, in the level 10 category, the highest classification for a non-elite Olympic track gymnast.

“Erynne is the first level 10 gymnast we’ve ever had here and is dedicated to the sport,” Paulding Gymnastics head coach Macy Hyatt said. “She comes in ready to work and everyone in the gym looks up to her.”

Allen has now qualified for the Region Eight meet which will begin Friday in Kennesaw. The meet will bring together the top gymnasts throughout the Southeast with the chance to qualify for Nationals this summer. The Paulding County resident is a veteran of the sport even at a young age.

“I took my first gymnastics class at 18 months old and started competing at five,” Allen said. “I enjoy practicing while learning new skills and seeing what I’m good at.”

Allen is a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club at South Paulding. She has already begun to receive interest from Division 1 colleges and plans to major in sports psychology or physical therapy to assist athletes physically and mentally.

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